VE Day Garden Party

Step back in time and celebrate the spirit of the 1940s at our special VE Day Garden Party in Lower Grosvenor Gardens!

This free event on 8 May from 12pm to 7pm brings the community together in true wartime fashion, with live vintage music, high-energy dancing, and hands-on ‘Make Do and Mend’ workshops.

Enjoy the sounds of the era with classic wartime tunes, join in (or simply enjoy watching!) lively swing and jive dancing, and take part in creative workshops that highlight the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the time. Whether you’re a history buff, a dance enthusiast, or just looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone.

Treat yourself to delicious cocktails and refreshments from The Alchemist, or indulge in traditional afternoon tea delights from The Orchard Room at Conrad London St. James, both available to purchase at Grosvenor Gardens, to be enjoyed from the comfort of our garden deckchairs.

Bring your friends and family, soak up the nostalgic atmosphere, and honour the resilience and camaraderie of Victory in Europe Day in one of London’s most beautiful green spaces. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tap here to see what else is happening for VE Day across London Heritage Quarter. See information on road closures here and security here.

 

Workshops

Learn the Art of Darning – A Make Do and Mend Workshop

8 May, 12pm to 1pm

Lower Grosvenor Gardens

Join our lunchtime Make Do and Mend Workshop as part of the VE Day Garden Party. Learn to repair and revive your worn or damaged clothing. Book now.

 

Upcycle Fabric into Keyrings & Badges

8 May, 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Lower Grosvenor Gardens

Celebrate VE Day with a fun upcycling workshop. Turn old fabric into keyrings & badges at this session! Book now.

 

 

What Else is Happening in London for VE Day?

Pork Pie & Pint for £10 at Bbar

5 to 12 May

Savour a classic British treat to celebrate VE Day! Enjoy a delicious pork pie paired with a pint for just £10. Raise a glass and savour the flavour as you honour the day with great food and good cheer.

 

Limited-edition Poppy Cake at The Rubens at The Palace

5 to 11 May

This elegant creation features Almond Amatika Mousse, Lemon Joconde, Lemon Marmalade, and a delicate Poppy Seed Sablé, all finished with a glossy black glaze and topped with a handcrafted chocolate poppy. A poignant symbol of remembrance, peace, and resilience, this special addition pays tribute to the enduring spirit of the era. Available until 11th May as part of their Afternoon Tea experience, book here.

 

Military Procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace

5 May

On Monday 5 May, there will be a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft, including the famous Red Arrows.

 

Jazz Returns to The Admiralty

8 May, 7pm to 9pm

Join the monthly Jazz Night at The Admiralty with The Blue Bottle Club, as the evening transports guests back to the 1940s in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe. Dress in your glad rags and dance the night away with swinging tunes. Take a step back in time in the Grade II listed building and celebrate like they did so many years before! Booking is essential, find out more here.

 

A Day in the 1940s at The Guards Museum

10 May, Free Entry

The Guards Museum is bringing history out from its cases and into your hands as the nation comes together to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day. Visitors can immerse themselves in 1940s music, games, and entertainment, handle objects from the collection, and dig deeper into history. Located just minutes away from Buckingham Palace, on the site of the historic Wellington Barracks, heritage will be brought to the forefront of Central London. Highlights of the day will include a Second World War re-enactors camp, the chance to try on authentic uniforms of the Guards, scheduled Punch and Judy performances, and a live 1940s-style singer, Lancashire Belle. Younger visitors can play games from the 1940s, and explore the museum’s collection as they make their way through our World War Two activity stations, while the adults may opt to drop into an expert talk on the King’s Guard, the home front, or soldier’s stories. Find out more.

 

Service of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey

8 May

For VE Day on 8 May, a service of remembrance will take place at Westminster Abbey, which will be followed by an evening concert at Horse Guards Parade, inside St James’s Park.

 

London Transport Museum: May half-term: At London’s Service

Find out more about the role London’s transport played in keeping the city moving through the Second World War. Join London Transport Museum for family activities exploring the stories of those who worked on London Transport, the role of Underground stations as shelters during the Blitz and how London Transport contributed to the wider war effort. Tickets available from 24 May to 1 June. Book tickets here.

 

Road Closures

Friday 2 (morning) to Saturday 3 May (afternoon) – Road closures of the ceremonial footprint and surrounds to facilitate preparatory works for the military procession.

Sunday 4 (afternoon) to Monday 5 May – Road closures of the ceremonial footprint for the draping of The Cenotaph, military procession and flypast.

Thursday 8 May – Road closures of Parliament Square, Whitehall and surrounds for the service at Westminster Abbey, the concert at Horse Guards Parade and the removal of the flags from The Cenotaph.

To read the Businesses and Residents letter, please click here. 

Stay Safe & Secure

If something looks unusual or doesn’t feel right during any of the VE Day celebrations in London, report it to staff or security.